Feeling nauseous is the worst, to say the least. It doesn’t happen often to most of us, but when it does, it always seems to happen at the most inconvenient time and limits our ability to function and be productive.

When nausea rears its ugly head, in the moment it can seem like there’s nothing you can do about it, but there actually is! Our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team shares some helpful ways you can battle a bout of nausea below, so keep reading.

What Happens to My Body When I Feel Nauseous?

There are two centers in the brain that can trigger nausea symptoms. The first center is the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), which responds to chemical inputs from medication and hormones. This zone sends signals to the digestive system should you take a medication that causes nausea or eat an illness-inducing food.

When you feel motion sickness, you are experiencing a reaction in the area postrema, which occurs due to pressure and equilibrium changes that can make you feel off balance. If the CTZ is affected, it’s more likely that vomiting will occur, due to the body sensing that a potentially harmful chemical is present in the digestive system.

Common Nausea Triggers

• Stress or anxiety
• Motion sickness
• Pregnancy
• Migraine
• Food poisoning
• Viruses such as influenza
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives or beta-blockers
• Problems with the inner ear, such as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis
• Thyroid disorders
• Eating disorders

Can I Treat Nausea at Home?

In most cases, yes, you can! We’ve listed some effective home remedies for nausea below.

Visit our AFC center if nausea has left you unable to eat or drink for more than 12 hours. You should also see a physician if your nausea doesn’t subside within 24 hours of trying over-the-counter interventions.

Ways to Treat Nausea

• Prop your head up and avoid lying down. When you lie flat, gastric juices may rise and increase feelings of nausea and overall discomfort—especially if you have acid reflux or GERD.
• Eat or drink ginger. Consuming ginger is one of the most popular, effective ways to treat feelings of nausea. Experts believe ginger contains compounds that work in a similar way to anti-nausea medications.
• Consider peppermint. Peppermint oil has been found to be a safe and effective way to combat nausea. You can take peppermint capsules or drink peppermint tea to experience its benefits.
• Try OTC antiemetic medication, like Dramamine or Pepto-Bismol. Antiemetic medications are anti-nausea drugs that can help to reduce feelings of nausea or vomiting.

Are you feeling nauseous and don’t know what to do? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Southcenter team today!